Crisis on The Horizon - Waste Plastic Pollution

Monday, 5 February 2018

You CAN Reduce Plastic Pollution

There’s a lot of alarming news about pollution these days and it’s hard to cut through to the issues that really matter. But one issue in particular, that’s as big as global warming, is pollution from international plastic waste.

Recycling Issue

Scientists estimate that plastic takes around 500 years to start breaking down. Worldwide production of plastic is currently around 300 million tonnes a year and a mere 9% is being recycled. It’s polluting both our lands and oceans at a catastrophic rate, overflowing our landfill.

Plastic waste from the UK has been found in landfill sights in India, Thailand and China of course. This is plastic we shipped over there but was too difficult to sort or too contaminated to recycle.

We're ALL Consuming Plastic

As plastic disintegrates it ends up as tiny microplastics, some smaller than a grain of sand. These are ingested by plankton and small fish who think it’s food. They are subsequently eaten by larger prey, until we, the species at the top of the food chain eat them and ingest the micro-plastics.

You may be thinking, ‘I DO recycle! I always put my rubbish in the correct recycling bin. It’s not my fault if it ends up in the sea!’ To a certain degree, you’re right. Once your bin is emptied, what happens to that plastic is really out of your control.

But there is a way you can combat waste plastic before it’s even entered your recycling bin.

Bring an End to Purchasing Non-Recyclable Plastic!

Plastic is one of the most recyclable materials on the planet, yet we continue to buy plastic bottles, containers and bags made from types of virgin plastic, that is difficult to recycle, every time we shop.

If we reduce demand for non-recyclable plastic, production will switch to plastics that are easier to recycle we can create a closed recycling loop.

Recycling Education

So, what would be needed to increase the amount of waste plastic that’s recycled back into something useful?

A simple, robust outdoor bench for school playgrounds, recreational areas,community play areas or a private garden. Anywhere children sit or play. Will never rot and lasts for generations. Recycled plastic throughout.